giovedì 24 marzo 2016

When the wind starts
blowing early in the morning, it's always chilly if you're the one
pulling the anchor outside. Anyway the feeling of freedom when the
boat is moving and the sun is taking his place in the sky is
priceless.

The forecasts predicted
smooth and easy wind for three days before to see land again. Believe
it or not, eventually, after a few rough passages, we had one of the
quietest crossing ever. The sea was smooth, the wind just strong
enough to keep LJ pursuing softly his way and everybody was happy on
board. I also had three marlin on the line, but none of them on
board. I never saw such a fast and strong fish in my life!

Anyway a few Tunas and a
Wahoo gave us food and fun for some days. We made the entering
clearance in Suva, the vibrant capital city of Fiji. Local
authorities, a bunch of young students I would say by their age, came
on board to make all the immigration paperwork and check the boat.

They immediately
introduced us in the world of “BULA!”. As soon as we could, we
headed to the second biggest city of Fiji, Nadi. After months in the
Pacific islands, landing at Port Denarau Marina was like coming from
the Salar de Uyuni straight to Manhattan, with no stopovers. A
proper, well equipped and modern marina, full of shining restaurants,
pubs, expensive boutiques, shops and 1 dollar buses to town.

Alice finally enjoys a
decent internet connection, but at the same time starts missing the
isolated Pacific islands because over there, at least, there was
nothing to buy and therefore she couldn't feel a real need of buying
something. In the shopping-magnet Port Denarau you can really
perceive how our system creates needs that in reality we don't need
at all!

I think I lost myself in
my words, so I can't even imagine you! Anyway, the thing is that if
you live with basic needs and you can satisfy them, you'll be easily
happy and satisfied. The more needs you think you have, the more
difficult is to reach satisfaction and happiness.

Island by island beach
after beach after beach, Fiji are absolutely stunning. The people and
the sea are still surprising us.

The eyes of the people
are just shining stars in the forest. IT can happen that in only one
day you swing from swimming with mantas, to be invited for a cooking
lesson (how to make biscuit without a kitchen), be pleased to have
the Sevusevu with the king of the village, and why not a rugby match
while the sun is setting himself on the horizon. I almost forgot that
before the mach some of the guys I was playing with they come back
from a hunting session with a few wild goats and the y ask me to
carry one holding it from the horns. Let's to it.

Navigation can be
complicate so if you are planning to be around with your own boat,
just read charts properly and make sure to be here during the Regatta
where all kind of boats are prepare to show their costume and
drinking skills.

Here everyone can find a
place, from the superyacth to the kayak, the are hundereds of magic
corner where to drop the ancore and explore.

The ocean is also showing
some of the best wave in the world. The southern of the Mamanuca
island, are home of probably some of the finest quality lefthanded in
the Pacific. Off Tavarua island you can find the world series
Cloudbreak wich will makes you proud even when it's only 3ft hight,
but don't forget to check around Namotu Is...perfection is just an
everyday habits on this part of the world. Unfortunately if you don't
have your own boat it can be expensive to reach those places however
check out for some deal from Malolo Island. Most of the packages are
from beachcomber witch is the drunk backpackers island.

30 knots of wind, water
tanks nearly empty and we take the only good weather window. After
more than a month and dozen of amazing experiences we are “Off to
New Zealand”.